Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) for use in Buildings

Through the ReCO2ST project, vacuum insulation panels have been installed on the demonstration building at Brunel University London and are being monitored for thermophysical performance. First results show monthly average temperatures in the range of 12.8 °C – 15.8 °C between the wall and the insulation layer when monthly average ambient temperature was 5.6 °C. A new submicron-scale polymer foam has been characterized for use in vacuum insulation panels. FT-IR results regarding radiative conductivity and specific extinction with and without graphite opacifier are presented. The thermal conductivity as function of gas pressure has also been investigated. This new materials has achieved a thermal conductivity of approximately 5 mW/(m∙K) under vacuum, similar to fumed silica. Thermal conductivity doubles at gas pressure of 50 mbar, making it less suitable as core material for long term applications unlike fumed silica, but more suitable than other known core material alternatives such as polyurethane or glass fiber.